Depth Carry Wreckers To Win Over Wilton

By Justine Seligson

The Staples boys swimming and diving team won its third straight meet, and raised its record to 5-2 with a 106-77 home victory over the Wilton Warriors Monday.

Staples triumphed in six events, which included some record-breaking performances. Junior Nathanial Boley dominated the meet by winning four events, starting with the 200-meter freestyle (2:00.08), which is the fourth fastest time in school history, and the 400-meter freestyle (4:16.55), which was the third fastest.

Boley continued his success in relay events, helping the 200-meter freestyle relay team with seniors David Katter, Kyle Bacon, and junior Matthew Wetmore (1:45.06), and the 400-meter freestyle relay with Bacon, sophomore Justin Krakoff and freshman Daniel Williams (3:57.29).

And these were not the only events the Wreckers won. Sophomore Christopher Mombello won the 100-meter breastroke (1:14. 94) and freshman North Woods took second.

For diving, junior Tanner Blank scored 219.75, which is the fifth best score in school history for a six-dive program.

“I’ve worked extremely hard with my coach over the years and intend to work even hard to better my mark through the rest of this season and next year,” Blank said.

Junior Andrew Cohen took second on the diving board with his personal best score of 182. 80.

The Wreckers won despite missing some key swimmers. Sophomore Jonathan Blansfield was out sick.

Senior Joss Abel was scheduled to race against Wilton but fell ill during the meet and had to be pulled from his events. Both these team members contributed to past Staples victories.

Despite their absence, their teammates still managed to beat a solid FCIAC team.

“We were able to overcome these setbacks and had our depth carry us to victory,” Wreckers coach Jeffrey Schare said.

In the first half of the meet, there was just a five-point gap between Staples and Wilton. But the freestyle and breastroke events were major factors in helping Staples pull out ahead..

This was an interesting meet for some swimmers as they were competing against their Wilton Wahoos teammates. Boley and Woods compete for the Wahoos and they were racing against many of their fellow club team swimmers.

Overall, the team is exceptionally proud of its performance against the Warriors.

“In past years, we haven’t had the depth necessary to have a strong, competitive team,” Boley said. “Today, I think we really proved to be a contender late in the season. We didn’t win many events, but we had a lot of two-three and two-three-four finishes that really helped us along to the win.”

Staples hopes to raise its streak to four wins today when it hosts the Fairfield Ludlowe-Fairfield-Warde co-op team. The Wreckers will travel to Westhill Friday and face the Westhill-Stamford co-op team.

Reprinted from the Westport News

Wreckers Splash Norwalk

By Doug Bonjour

Even with the best efforts of the Norwalk boys swim team’s young and promising core, Staples did what was necessary to turn Monday’s meet between the FCIAC schools in its favor.

The Wreckers jump-started the competition with wins in four out of the first five events–consisting of four individual events and one relay–and rode the momentum built from that early lead to a 101-75 victory over the Bears.

“Considering that they were mainly swimming off-events, I thought we responded pretty well,” Staples head coach Jeffrey Schare said. “There were some performances today I think frankly were a little bit lackluster. But today we finished up final exams so the guys are a little bit burned out. They gave what they could today and we did enough for the win.”

Daniel Williams–the Wreckers’ “top freshman” as told by Schare–raced to a win in the first individual event, the 200 freestyle, in 1:56.68, and later picked up a victory in the 400 freestyle relay to make the afternoon a positive one for the Wreckers. The 400 relay team, which included Jonathan Blansfield, Joss Abel and Nathaniel Boley, along with Williams, recorded a winning time of 3:37.41.

“He definitely stands out,” Schare said of Williams.

Just five days removed from a win over perennial power New Canaan, the Wreckers were strong from the get-go, opening with a victory in the 200 medley relay. Boley, Abel, Kyle Bacon and David Katter completed that event in 1:47.04, edging out Norwalk by less than a second.

Boley, who helped the Wreckers take two out of the three relay events, also raced to victories in the 50 freestyle (23.14) and the 500 freestyle in 5:09.65.

Those strong finishes, however, didn’t come without some strong competition.

For Norwalk, junior Sherman Lau won two events, earning a victory in the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.44 and the 200 freestyle relay. The Bears’ relay team, which included Jake St. John, Eddie Donovan, Anthony Dell’Isola and Lau, won that event in 1:38.15.

“I thought Sherman swam very well. He’s really starting to round into form,” Norwalk head coach Doug Marchetti said. “As a junior, we look to him for leadership and to provide a spark when we need it. He’s really starting to come alive this part of the season.”

Efforts like Lau’s have been needed for Norwalk this season, especially given the small numbers the team has to work with.

“We gave a lot of effort. We only have like eight to 10 swimmers. Some kids have to swim back-to-back events,” said Lau, who also placed second in the 50 freestyle in 23.62, finishing less than a second behind Boley.

Dell’Isola, a freshman, picked up Norwalk’s first win of the afternoon in the 200 individual medley (2:07.53), finishing ahead of Blansfield. The other Norwalk swimmers to win individual events were Donovan in the 100 butterfly (57.81) and Dillon DiGuglielmo in the 100 backstroke (1:01.24)–both of whom are also first-year swimmers.

“I can’t speak enough also with our freshman kids,” Marchetti said, “what kind of swims they’re giving us. Throw Giancarlo Ceci into the mix and Kenji Hosokawa, Jason Castorina, we’re getting great swims from all of our kids. We just don’t have a whole lot of them. I can’t be more proud with their effort.”

The Bears’ Max Libre, also a freshman, scored a 126.65 in the diving event, but was bested by Staples’ Tanner Blank, who posted his season-high score, 186.95.

With another win in its pocket, Staples will look to continue its strong start when it hosts Wilton next Monday. The Bears will be in action again on Wednesday, at home against the Rams.

“We’ve still got some big ones coming up, so I try to impress it to the guys that we can’t just sit back on our laurels,” Schare said. “We have to keep fighting, we have to keep pushing, we have to keep training.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

 

Wreckers Overcome Norwalk

NORWALK — The Staples High boys swim team defeated Norwalk 101-75 Monday at the NHS pool.

The Wreckers raised their record to 4-2 with the win while the Bears slipped to 1-5.

“We were able to mix up the lineup and challenge the kids in different events and they responded,” Staples head coach Jeffrey Schare said. “They swam a little tired coming off midterm exams but by mixing up the lineup, we were able to find some strength and position for a third guy in an event which is always good and can help us down the line.”

Nathaniel Boley led the Wreckers by winning two individual events including the 50-yard freestyle (23.14) and the 500 free (5:09.65), finishing well ahead of the field in the 500. He also helped the 200 medley relay, along with Joss Abel, Kyle Bacon and David Katter, place first (1:47.04).

Anthony Dell’Isola had a strong meet for Norwalk. He won the 200 IM (2:07.53), edging out Staples’ Jonathan Blansfield (2:07.60) and aided the winning 200 free relay team of Jake St. John, Eddie Donovan and Sherman Lau (1:38.15) and the 400 free relay team of Kenji Hosokawa, Giancarlo Ceci and Dillon DiGuglielmo (3:49.53).

“I was very happy,” Norwalk head coach Doug Marchetti said. “The final score may not show it but my kids swam extremely well against a very good team.”

Marchetti also praised Dell’Isola, Sherman Lau, who won the 100 breaststroke (1:07.44) and was second in the 50 free (23.62) in addition to anchoring the 200 free relay, and DiGuglielmo, who took first in the 100 backstroke (1:01.24) and was third in the 200 free (1:58.51). Donovan was Norwalk’s other first-place finisher as he captured the 100 butterfly (57.81).

“They give me great effort and keep getting better and better,” Marchetti said of his swimmers, who number only 11.

Schare said Tanner Blank started out slow in the diving but finished strong, winning the event with a score of 186.95.

After placing second in the 200 IM, Blansfield redeemed himself in the 100 free, finishing in first place ahead of Dell’Isola with a time of 52.03. Dell’Isola was runner-up with a time of 53.52.

“He wanted to get back on top after being touched out in the IM,” Schare said. “Jonathan is quiet but very competitive.”

Rounding out the scoring for Staples was Daniel Williams, who took first in the 200 free (1:56.68).

Norwalk hosts New Canaan Wednesday while the Wreckers take on Wilton next Monday at home.

Reprinted from The Hour

Staples Swimmers Celebrate Win Over Rams

By Tom Renner

Staples 98, New Canaan 88

Staples senior captain Kyle Bacon does not recall much from the Wreckers’ meets against New Canaan in his first three years in high school. But he will remember the last one for a long time — perhaps forever.

Bacon and the Wreckers defeated New Canaan for the first time since 2001 last week, 98-88. Bacon was part of the 400-freestyle relay with Jonathan Blansfield, Nathaniel Boley and Danny Williams that clinched the victory.

“I don’t remember the losses to New Canaan specifically, but for the most part they weren’t even close,’’ Bacon said. “We got a little bit closer last year. They were so good, I never thought a win against New Canaan was possible.”

Staples won just two individual events, a victory in the 500 free by Blansfield and in the 100 backstroke by Matt Wisher. Staples needed to go 2-3 in the 400-free relay to win the meet. And it did even better than that, finishing first and third.

“I’m almost always on the 400 relay, and most meets you know by then who’s going to win,’’ Bacon said. “This meet was neck-and-neck. We knew we needed to get second and third. It was neat seeing all the guys on deck pulling for each other. It really gave us a boost.”

This year’s Staples team is the strongest in his four years with the squad, Bacon said. The Wreckers have a talented group of underclassmen. Blansfield, a sophomore, had what Bacon believes to be the turning point of the meet against New Canaan with a come-from-behind win in the 500 freestyle. “That got the whole team excited,’’ he said. “That showed us what we could do.”

“I don’t know if I’m surprised by what the underclassmen have done,’’ coach Jeffrey Schare said. “They’ve certainly boosted our success. What’s really helped them is our seniors. We only have four of them, but they are good leaders. They’ve let the younger swimmers know what it takes to be successful in this league.” Bacon, Wisher, Joss Abel and David Katter are the Staples seniors.

Staples beat Trumbull and Danbury in December then lost to Darien and Greenwich in a three-day span. The victory over New Canaan lifted the Wreckers’ spirits. With most of its toughest challenges out of the way, they could go unbeaten in their last six meets of the season.

“Sometimes you get kids coming up from club teams and they have the strength and they have the times, but high school swimming is different,’’ Bacon said. “You don’t always know what to expect. But this is the strongest team we’ve ever had. We have the talent and the mental strength to push ahead. It’s been a special season.”

Reprinted from The Daily Westport

Wreckers Splash Rams for First Time Since 2001

By Eliot Schickler

Turn back the clock to the winter of 2001.

It was the beginning of President George W. Bush’s first term, the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun were known as the Orlando Miracle, the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats and NFL’s Houston Texans haven’t come into existence yet and neither has the DVD.

The year, 2001, was the last time the Staples boys swimming team defeated New Canaan — until Wednesday. Staples broke its 10-year losing streak to last year’s Class L runnerup and 2010 Class L champion with a 98-88 victory at New Canaan.

“This is one of the most exciting meets I’ve witnessed,” Wreckers coach Jeff Schare said. “The guys on the team said it was the most exciting meet they have witnessed. It’s one of the meets we focused on and were ready to go. We put in a solid lineup and had more depth than them. We were able to outpoint them in events.”

Although Staples didn’t win the 200-yard medley relay, it took second and third to keep it close. Senior Matt Wisher, senior captain Joss Abel, freshman Danny Williams, and junior Matt Wetmore took second with a time of 1:49.76, and freshman Max Wimer, sophomore Chris Mombello, junior Marcus Russi, senior captain David Katter took third (1:52.59).

Junior Nathaniel Boley boosted the Wreckers by winning the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.76), edging Rams senior Ian Robert (1:50.03).

“I knew going into the meet that it would be close and we’d have to squeeze out points wherever we could,” Boley said. “I knew the New Canaan swimmer I raced against and knew it would be a tough race. I’m lucky to pull it out.”

Sophomores Jonathan Blansfield (1:52.59) and Justin Krakoff (1:58.23) took third and fifth in the 200-free.

Williams (2:09.56) and Abel (2:11.06) were two-three in the 200-yard individual medley to mitigate a Ram victory and keep Staples in the lead. Although the Wreckers didn’t take first in the 50-yard freestyle, they still outscored New Canaan because Bacon (24.2), Katter (24.5) and Wetmore (25.0) placed two-three-four.

The Rams dominated diving to take a 40-38 lead. Juniors Tanner Blank and Andrew Cohen were three-four in diving for Staples. New Canaan increased its lead in the 100-yard butterfly, 9-7. Wisher (59.34), Russi (1:00.40) and Wetmore (1:02.08) were two-four-five in the 100-fly. In the 100-yard freestyle, the Rams took first again but their lead remained at four because Boley (50.52), Bacon (52.21) and Mombello were two-three-five.

Blansfield came from behind to win in the 500-yard freestyle (4:56.35).

“I was feeling down because he was a body length ahead of me, but when I looked up after I breathed, I saw my teammates cheer for me and it definitely pushed me,” Blansfield said. “It gave me a lot of motivation.”

Williams (5:08.12) and Krakoff (5:26.61) were four-five in the 500-free.

The Rams won the 200-yard freestyle relay but Staples took second and third. Boley, Wetmore, Bacon and Krakoff took second (1:35.07) while Russi, sophomore Tyler Crowder, Katter and Blansfield took third (1:39.64) in the 200-free relay.

In the 100-yard backstroke, the tide turned with Wisher winning it. Wimer (1:03.71) and sophomore Michael Deluca (1:04.04) were three-four in the 100-back and the Wreckers led, 79-77. New Canaan took first in the 100-yard breaststroke but Staples increased its lead to 88-84 because Abel (1:06.71), Mombello (1:07.87) and freshman North Woods (1:09.87) were two-three-four.

In order to win the meet, the Wreckers needed to take second and third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. They clinched the meet with Blansfield, Bacon, Williams and Boley winning the event (3:26.89).

Rams senior ace Austin Wolff led off for the hosts and gave his team a slight edge. When Boley jumped in, the race was tied. In the end, he edged his counterpart and New Canaan’s team (3:26.94) fell .05 short.

Krakoff, Russi, Abel and Wisher took third in the 400-free relay (3:40.15).

“The win was a huge confidence booster for the team and we felt we could do it,” Schare said.

Reprinted from the Westport News

Wreckers Encouraged in Loss to Vaunted Darien

By Justine Seligson

Despite losing 108-78 at home to Darien Friday, the Staples boys swimming team didn’t leave the meet feeling discouraged.

Darien raised its record to 3-0. Staples dropped to 2-2.

“No doubt this has been a tough week, swimming against the reining State Open Champions, Greenwich, and State Open runner-up Darien,” Wreckers coach, Jeff Schare said.

Staples was fortunate though to have one of its best swimmers back, junior Nathanial Boley who was absent in the loss at Greenwich last Wednesday. But the Wreckers were weakened by the illnesses of Boley and another top swimmer, sophomore Jonathan Blansfield. Even in defeat, Staples did achieve some outstanding times.

Boley overcame his illness and triumphed in the100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:01.32,. and swam the second fastest time in school history.

“I’ve been pretty sick this week and didn’t think I was going to be able to swim,” Boley said. “I knew the team needed everyone here so I decided to give it my best shot and see what I could do. I’m happy with my swim considering I’m not feeling well.”

Current assistant coach Frisk Driscoll is the record-holder in the 100-back.

Senior caption Joss Abel ruled the 100-meter breaststroke (1:12.94), which is the ninth fastest time in Staples history.

“I am very proud of my accomplishment of not only winning but also setting a pool record,” Abel said. “I have been training hard for it and have wanted to get on board for a while so I am happy that my hard work paid off.”

The Wreckers swept the 100-back with sophomore Christopher Mombello (1:14.65) taking second and freshman North Woods (1:16.08) placing third.

Tthose were the only two events Staples won, despite many other fantastic times.

Blansfield placed third in the 200-meter freestyle (2:02.99), which is the school’s ninth fastest time. Freshman Daniel Williams took second for the 200-meter individual medley (2:20.56), which is the 10th fastest time for the Wreckers. Williams grabbed second in the 400-meter freestyle (4.26.09), which is the eighth fastest in school history.

Possibly, the final outcome would have been closer if Boley and Blanfield weren’t fighting their illnesses. But the whole team was pleased with its effort against a major rival.

“I’m really proud of the team and what we accomplished on Friday,” Boley said. “I know we didn’t come away with a win but I felt that the team fought through a tough meet. Everyone really pushed the Darien swimmers.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

Wreckers Leave Greenwich Encouraged

By Ryan Lacey

The Staples boys swimming and diving team couldn’t have faced a more difficult endeavor after the holiday vacation.

Staples had to travel to top-ranked Greenwich, the defending State Open champions.

The holiday break was no roadblock to the mighty Greenwich Cardinals.

Showing few signs of rust, GHS returned to the pool with an emphatic 118-67 victory over Staples Wednesday at Greenwich High School.

After defeating New Canaan 106-80 in their season opener, the Cardinals (2-0) didn’t miss a beat in their first meet in nearly two weeks. The hosts took nine of the 12 events, many of which came in dominating fashion.

Greenwich did have to overcome an early hiccup in the first event. In the 200-yard medley relay, the winning team of Alex Lewis, Klinger, Luca Fikre, and Matt Fraser were disqualifying for an early jump by Fikre.

“It was pretty clear there was early jump there,” Cardinals coach Terry Lowe said. “We had to come back a bit after getting disqualified and we did.”

Although meets are usually dominated by All-State juniors and seniors, a pair of underclassman stole the show. Greenwich freshman Thomas Dillinger and Wreckers sophomore Jonathan Blansfield were extremely competitive in the 200 and 500 freestyle, with Blansfield claiming wins by the narrowest of margins (1:48.06-1:48.15 and 4:48.67-4:49.00).

“Blansfield’s talented. He works his tail off in the pool. He’s been training hard over the vacation to get ready for this meet. Frankly this has been the first time that he’s come out on top. It’s a huge confidence builder and can only carry momentum for him throughout the season,” Wreckers coach Jeff Schare said.

The Cardinals took the top three spots in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, expanding their commanding lead each time.

“Typically the sprints are one of our strengths for a lot of reasons. We obviously have a good program and the kids that play polo come up in good shape,” Lowe said. “It takes a little longer to develop the distance guys sometimes.”

For Staples (2-1), the meet was a learning process for a group aiming to challenge the elite of the FCIAC. The Wreckers were without Nathaniel Boley, who the 2010 FCIAC 100 backstroke champion.

“This meet would have been far more competitive if Boley were around,” Lowe said. “Missing an all-state swimmer is always tough.”

Schare had a positive take on the meet for the Wreckers.

“I’m pleased with the racing. We finally got the get up and see some great competition. We want to race fast against fast high schools. We are going to get something out of competing against high caliber opponents,” Wreckers coach Jeff Schare said.

Staples began the season with easy victories over Trumbull and Danbury before the holiday break but came crashing down to earth after going face-to-face with the Cardinals.

“Our first two meets we had this year were against two teams on the opposite end of the spectrum. This just wakes your awareness to the level of competition in the league,” Schare said.

The Wreckers host Darien today and travel to New Canaan Wednesday. Both teams may not be at Greenwich’s level but they are not easy teams either. However, Staples had many positive swims against the Cardinals, and it hopes to build off of it. Senior captain Kyle Bacon posted a 1:53.44 in the 200-free and 52.06 (fourth) in the 100-free. Freshman Danny Williams took second in the 200 individual medley (2:06.05) and third in the 500-free (5:09.57). Senior captain Joss Abel took third in the breaststroke (1:06.25) and fourth in the 200-IM (2:08.93).

In fact, the breastroke seemed to be a strong event for the Wreckers as sophmore Chris Mombello 1:06.28 and freshman North Woods (1:08.05) took fourth and fifth in it, respectively, and also qualified for states.

Overall, Staples had 18 Class LL qualifying marks in the meet. Bacon, Blansfield, Williams, Abel, Matt Wetmore, David Katter, Tanner Blank, Andrew Cohen, Matt Wisher, Marcus Russi, Mombello, and Woods punched in their tickets for the meet.

“We were simply out gunned by the reining State Open Champions but Staples swam fast today,” Schare said. “Based on our individual results, we have a lot to look forward to this season.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

Wreckers Splash Two Foes to Open the Season

 

By Justine Seligson

The Staples boys swimming and diving team began the season with a splash.

Staples opened the season with two home victories, vanquishing Trumbull, 105-73, last Wednesday, and Danbury, 97-73 Friday.

The Wreckers won the first event of the season behind their seniors. Matthew Wisher and captains Joss Abel, David Katter and Kyle Bacon, ruled the 200-meter medley relay with a time of 2:00.58. Junior, Matthew Wetmore won the 200-meter freestyle (2:15.37).

“I have been training very hard.” Wetmore said. “I have been practicing twice a day-before and after school.”

It looks like that intensity sure paid off and not just for him but also for the whole team. Abel triumphed in the 50-meter freestyle (27.07). Sophomore Jonathan Blansfield won the 100-meter butterfly (1:05.01) and 100-meter backstroke (1:06.45).

In the 200-meter freestyle relay, sophomore, Justin Krakoff, junior Marcus Russi, sophomore Christopher Mombello and Wetmore (1:49.34) prevailed. And junior Andrew Cohen was tops on the diving board (105.01).

Two days later, Staples won eight events against Danbury. Blansfied, junior Trevor Locke, Bacon and sophomore Tyler Crowder ruled the 200-medley relay (2:06.73). Abel dominated distance events by triumphing in the 200-free (2:10.30) and 400-meter freestyle (4:40.25). Blansfield continued his winning streak by taking the 200-meter individual medley. (2:22.04). Russi won the 50-free (27.73). Bacon was victorious in the 100-fly (1:05.52). Wisher won the 100-meter freestyle (58.63). Junior Tanner Blank (187.10) won in diving.

Although the Wreckers are 2-0, they shouldn’t get too excited. Coach, Jeffrey Schare said that Trumbull and Danbury are the weaker teams in the league.

But Staples didn’t take it easy in its lanes. “Knowing this going in, we challenged the swimmers to compete in races that are not necessarily their strengths and they responded well,” Schare said.

Abel for example, generally competes in breaststroke and individual medley, but in these meets, he took a turn with the freestyle and excelled. But Schare felt that his swimmers were kind of carefree for the start and not pushing themselves enough.

“We swam a little flat in the opening meet against Trumbull,” Schare said. “After addressing this with the team, and than swimming a great practice on Thursday, we raced with more enthusiasm against Danbury.”

And the team spirit increased drastically on Friday as well.

“The team was especially loud with spirit and the energy seemed to get everyone up for their races,” Schare said.

Overall, Staples is proud to be 2-0 and just wants it to get better.

“The team is definitely excited about winning the first two meets,” Bacon said. “But we know have some important meets coming up after winter break so we will continue to work even harder.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

“Big Three” Look to Carry Staples Boys Swimming

By George Albano
Hour Staff Writer

The term “Big Three” has become quite vogue in the sports world lately.

The Celtics won an NBA championship with their Big Three of Pierce, Allen and Garnett. The trio of LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh came up two wins short of doing the same in South Beach last year.

And the Knicks hope they found the third piece of their Big Three the other day.

In high school boys swimming, however, the “Big Three” tag takes on a slightly different meaning.

At Staples High School, for example, the Big Three translates into Nathaniel Boley, Matt Wisher and Jonathan Blansfield.

In Boley, a junior, the Wreckers return the reigning FCIAC and Class LL state champion in the 100 backstroke. He was also the FCIAC runner-up in the 100 freestyle.

“He’s very versatile and can swim anything,” Staples coach Jeffrey Schare said of The Hour’s 2011 All-Area MVP. “Nathaniel is going to swim a lot of different events at a level where he can match up with anyone in the league.”

Meanwhile, Wisher, one of the few seniors on the roster, captured a sixth-place medal in the backstroke at both the FCIAC and state meets.

“He’s also pretty versatile. He can swim the IM, the fly, and he’s a good freestyler,” his coach said. “It’s good to have a guy like Matt Wisher on the team.”

Then there’s Blansfield, who’s only a sophomore and who Schare says “should have a breakout season” after qualifying for the State Open in the 500 freestyle as a freshman.

“By the time the season is over, everyone is going to know his name,” Schare predicted.

But as good as they are, the Wreckers know it’s going to take more than those three if they hope to match or surpass last season’s accomplishments when they finished sixth at the FCIAC Championships, fifth in the Class LL state meet, and ninth at the Open.

That’s why Schare will also be relying on seniors Joss Abel, Kyle Bacon and David Katter in a variety of events.

“One really nice aspect of coaching this team is a lot of guys are well-rounded swimmers, which gives me a lot of flexibility. It makes it fun,” the Wreckers’ ninth-year head coach pointed out. “I can mix up the lineup and keep other schools on their toes because they don’t know what to expect. It adds another dimension.”

Schare is also looking for contributions from a pair of junior divers, Tanner Blank and Andrew Cohen, who need to fill the void left by the graduation of Zach Slater, now diving at Penn State.

“It’s always good to have good divers, especially after we lost Zach,” Schare said of Slater, who was fourth in Class LL last season. “He was dynamite for us.”

As the Wreckers prepare for their season opener on Wednesday against Trumbull, Schare is impressed with the makeup of this year’s Staples swim team.

“The FCIAC is always very competitive,” he said. “We have the best swimming competition in Connecticut. At the State Open, the FCIAC had the top four teams and five of the top six.

“But one thing I’ve noticed early on about our team is these guys are not afraid of the competition. They’re really looking forward to facing some of the traditionally tough teams. They’re ready to take on the challenge.

“This team doesn’t seem phased and hopefully that gives us one leg up at the start of the season.”

Of course, having a “Big Three” to lead the way will also help.

Reprinted from The Hour

Staples Swimmers to Cross Long Island Sound

BRIDGEPORT – Representing the Staples High School Swimming and Diving Team are five young people, impressive not only as athletes, but as individuals. The Staples High School team will participate Saturday, Aug. 6 in the 24th Annual Swim Across the Sound Marathon. St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound provides cancer education, screening, and prevention programs for the community. These athletes join a field of over 250 swimmers for a 15.5 mile journey across the Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson, N.Y. to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport.

Raising over $10,000 last year, and finishing in the top third, the Staples High School team will compete again with returning swimmer Kyle Bacon, 16. Kyle is joined this year by Jocelyn (“Joss”) Abel, 17, his brother, Laurence (“Larry”), 19, their sister, Verity, 15, and their friend, Gabrielle (“Gabby”) Wimer, 16. This year they are swimming in honor of Masato Sakaguchi, the 4-year-old brother of Fairfield swimmers Miki, Tomoya, Toshi and Yumi. Masato passed away last July after a two-year battle with brain cancer and Verity describes him as a “ray of sunshine”. Gabrielle says that they lost a member of their “swim family” when Masato passed away. The Sakaguchi children have swum with the Staples swimmers for years on the Westport Weston Family Y’s Water Rat Swim Team.

“We hope to bring the same tenacity, determination, and optimism to the swim as Masato brought to his battle with cancer. His spirit will be with us during the swim, and his smile will be in our thoughts, Joss said.”

Each relay team must raise $7,500, averaging about $1,500 a swimmer. At this year’s event, which is open to the public, the fastest swimmers are expected to cross the finish line at approximately 2:30 p.m., depending on the weather. The majority of the field will jockey for the finish line at about 4:30 p.m. with an awards ceremony to follow at 7 p.m. at Captain’s Cove Seaport.

Reprinted from The Minuteman

Editor’s Note: Click if you wish to support the Staples team by donating to Swim Across the Sound.

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